North East MPs get behind County Durham 'Maya's Law' campaign

Some North East MPs are getting behind a campaign calling for new legal protections to make sure children at-risk are better safeguarded.

We've been telling you about the County Durham family of Maya Chappell who are looking to introduce a law in her name.

The two-year-old was killed in 2022 by her mum's partner.

The 'Maya's Law' campaign has secured a Westminster Hall debate next month, lead by Liz Twist, the MP for Blaydon and Consett.

Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham, said: "No parent or family should have to go through the pain of losing a child, particularly when missed opportunities could have potentially identified a caregiver with a concerning history. The loss a child is something no parent ever recovers from, but knowing that more could have been done to prevent a child's death, well that's even harder to cope with.

"I was moved by the bravery of the family who've faced such a huge tragedy. They should be applauded for their courage and the way in which they're turning their pain into a fight for change, so no other family has to suffer in the same way that they have.

"One of my other County Durham-based colleagues appears to be spearheading this campaign in Parliament and I'll support them by any means possible; whether that be by speaking in debates, submitting questions to ministers or writing formally to the Government.

"I'll stand alongside my colleagues to support this important campaign and ensure that Maya's legacy lives on. The tragedy around Maya's murder is all the evidence I need to back this campaign. We must do whatever we can do make sure our children grow up feeling safe and supported."

Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, said: "It's hard to think of anything more painful in this life than losing a child, but to lose a child in the circumstances that Maya's family did is just unthinkable and that's why I'm supporting them and their campaign.

"One thing we know is that it's happening too frequently, that people are expressing concern about the welfare and wellbeing of a child and it's not being acted upon quickly enough.

"There's a Westminster Hall debate next month and it's going to be a very short debate but I will attend and make a short intervention but I think beyond that, we need to make sure that these things don't just gain legs for a minute and fall flat.

"I'm happy to engage with Gemma and the rest of Maya's family, who are running this campaign, and I've already signed the online petition and I would encourage your listeners to sign that petition calling for a change in the law in the way that we deal with these cases, so we better safeguard children.

"I think it's something that we have to just not stop. We need to keep going until we feel that all of our children are safe and until we know that every time a report is made, particularly when it's made by family members, that that will be taken seriously."

A petition's hit more than 4,000 signatures.